The relationship between teacher performance related to student essential skills achievement and teacher performance related to student acquisition of higher order thinking skills was examined for 19 secondary school teachers. Effects of a training program in teaching higher order skills and relationships between teacher knowledge and practice…

Special education administrator competencies associated with the implementation of special education programs within the context of federal, state, and local changes that affect special education and general education were examined in a survey of 164 administrators. The analysis identifies some domains that are more important than others. (SLD)

According to responses from 37 of 55 continuing education providers in the United Kingdom, the ideal of improving practice through quality assurance (QA) conflicts with pragmatic income generation and participant satisfaction; QA procedures used include participant questionnaires and informal tutor and participant feedback; and primary QA barriers…

Argues that humanistic approaches to group instruction make group leaders act as endlessly supportive facilitators and ignores unconscious motives and responses. Awareness of the unconscious and the depths, complexities, and ambiguities of group work can challenge and encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. (SK)

The experience of television viewing should be part of the literacy curriculum, enabling students to explore and reflect on their interests as critical participants in their cultural environment. (SK)

Discussions with 11 British chemical workers and 13 miners attending continuing education courses highlight the critical importance of the value people place on their own learning needs and the ways in which they interpret the social changes affecting their lives. (SK)

Discussion with an African-American mental health group in Britain demonstrate the politics involved in the relationship between knowledge and power. Transformative research is seen as part of the politics of postmodernism--the shift from Eurocentrism and the influence of research on political agendas and the balance of power. (SK)

A survey of 499 participants in adult education at the University of Birmingham (England) shows that continuing education is not a leisure activity. Participants have complex and diverse educational goals, reflecting a need for both traditional liberal adult education and a "new tradition"--a social action agenda, certification programs, and…

Adults do not learn science in the same way as either children or scientists. A separate theory of adult learning of science for scientific literacy is needed as the basis for the development of methodologies. (SK)

Ways to promote self-determination for adolescents with disabilities include (1) teaching self-regulation skills; (2) emphasizing workplace psychosocial skills; (3) ensuring opportunities for choices; (4) organizing instruction to promote self-determination; and (5) using metacognitive and other teaching strategies. (SK)

The STEP curriculum is a competency-based vocational education, evaluation and training program for special needs students with 27 components in 3 domains: survival skills and problem solving, career development and job seeking, and job keeping and work maturity. After implementation in South Dakota, 63 percent of completers were hired permanently…

Project STRIDE (Services for Transition to Independence through Education) included development of individualized transition plans for adults with learning disabilities; a year of full-time training; and a second year of training with transition to job placement and follow up. Interviews with 19 completers and 10 teachers found that most students…

The University of Illinois' Leadership Development Program for special needs professionals uses Program Improvement Projects--action plans for a program change to be implemented by participant teams (vocational educators, special educators, and adult service providers). (SK)

Research review, study of effective programs, and focus group meetings resulted in policy recommendations and a proposed model for a comprehensive program for at-risk students. The Integrated Vocational Education Model focuses on personal/social, academic, and vocational development sequenced from middle school to post-high school. (SK)

The history of grading offers little support for current grading practices. Alternative methods such as mastery, student self-comparison, contracting, multiple grades, and the point system should be examined in the context of philosophical issues to determine new grading policies. (SK)